Assessing the Impacts of Inorganic and Organic Fertilizer on Crop Performance Under a Microirrigation-Plastic Mulch Regime

Abstract This study was conducted at S & B Farm located in Eufaula, AL in 2014. The treatments were Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio); Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio + Bio-grow) plus microbe mix; and Organic Fertilizer – Mighty Grow (4-3-4) with a microbe mix. All fertilizers were applied prior to mulch application after which the following crops squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were directly seeded in a complete randomized design. The results showed that the inorganic fertilizer had higher yields (lbs/acre) than organic fertilizer. The addition of microbes to the inorganic fertilizer significantly increased the numbers of cucumbers and okra per acre. Overall, the “Farmer mix” with or without the addition of microbes significantly increased yields for all crops compared to the organic-based fertilizer

Evaluating the Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization Treatments and Irrigation on Soil Health Indicators in a Long-Term Crop Rotation Research Plot

Abstract Many agriculturalists have been focusing on the most efficient farming method that would produce the maximum yield while still sustaining the soil ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from the “Old Rotation” area (Auburn University, Auburn, AL), and were assessed for soil biochemical, chemical and biological characteristics related to soil quality. Treatments of the experimental site were a control with no legumes or N fertilizer; cotton every year with winter legumes; a 3-yr cotton-corn-soybean rotation with wheat and winter legumes; and cotton every year with N fertilizer. Impacts of irrigation were also tested between the sites. Assays were performed measuring phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activity, soil organic carbon, soil pH, and microbial diversity. The 3-year and winter legume rotations showed significant differences in the structure and membership of microbial communities and differences in biochemical activity. These results further demonstrate the ability of crop rotation to enhance the soil health of agricultural ecosystems. Keywords: Nitrogen Fertilization, Irrigation, Crop Rotation, Soil Ecology, Enzymatic Activit

Yield Response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.)) Transplanted in Single And Double Row at Different Dates in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A split-plot study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ sweetpotato when planted in single and double rows at four planting dates (March, April, May, and June) in a Wiregrass Tunnel House located at S&B Farm in Eufaula, Alabama. The main plots consisted of planting dates, sub-plots single, and double rows, with each treatment combination, replicated three times. The results showed a significant linear and quadratic effect for US#1 grade of sweetpotato and total marketable yields. Yields were highest at the first and second planting dates and declined at the two later planting dates. Single vs. double row planting significantly affected canner grade of sweetpotatoes, while the other grades were unaffected

The Effect of A Fifty Percent Leaf Harvest From Three Varieties of Collards (Brassica Oleracea(L)/Cultivar Group Acephala) Cropped at Selected Intervals When Grown in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a 50% leaf harvest from ‘Heirloom’, ‘Georgia’, and ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ collards on yield, when leaves were removed at 18-, 21-, and 25- day intervals, over four harvest periods of 102, 127, 152, and 177 days after transplanting in a Wiregrass Tunnel House. The experimental design used was a split-split plot with three replications, where harvest periods were main plots, cropping intervals (3) were sub-plots, and varieties were sub-sub-plots. Yield data (lbs./acre) showed significant interactions between harvest periods x cropping intervals for leaf numbers and yield, harvest periods x varieties, and cropping intervals x varieties. The 18-day cropping interval had the highest yields over all harvest periods; while varieties responded differently for each harvest period, and cropping intervals. ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ had the highest yield over all harvest periods and cropping intervals, followed by ‘Georgia ‘and ‘Heirloom.

Researcher as Artist/Artist as Researcher

This is a postmodern article that is nontraditional in its form, content, and mode of representation. Upon recognizing that we share interests and common experiences as artists, we decided to collect life history information from each other about our artistic experiences. Thus we have become, simultaneously, "the researched" and "the re searcher." In these conversations, we explore the ways in which we were each guided by our past, very strong aesthetic and artistic experiences. We also include the voices of other researchers and artists in our conversations as we explore the influences of art in the formation of our worldviews.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68774/2/10.1177_107780049500100107.pd

Spatial Assessment of Selected Soil Properties within an Industrial Poultry Production Site

Waste resulting from industrial poultry production systems is becoming an increasingly significant environmental problem in the US, threatening both soil and water quality. The goal of this study was to assess the spatial variability and interactions of selected soil properties (physical, chemical, and biochemical), viz., particle size, pH, enzymatic activity, Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), and Total Nitrogen (TN), across an agricultural landscape used for industrial poultry production. The measured soil properties were separated according to biochemical constituents and soil texture based on the first two principal components, accounting for approximately 60% of the variability across the site. These principal components were then used to generate soil surface maps, indicating areas of possible catalytic activity. Surface maps showed possible increases in biochemical activity around areas of stored poultry litter, suggesting the utility of these methods in determining changes to soil management

Assessing the Impacts of Inorganic and Organic Fertilizer on Crop Performance Under a Microirrigation-Plastic Mulch Regime

This study was conducted at S & B Farm located in Eufaula, AL in 2014. The treatments were Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio); Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio + Bio-grow) plus microbe mix; and Organic Fertilizer – Mighty Grow (4-3-4) with a microbe mix. All fertilizers were applied prior to mulch application after which the following crops squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were directly seeded in a complete randomized design. The results showed that the inorganic fertilizer had higher yields (lbs/acre) than organic fertilizer. The addition of microbes to the inorganic fertilizer significantly increased the numbers of cucumbers and okra per acre. Overall, the “Farmer mix” with or without the addition of microbes significantly increased yields for all crops compared to the organic-based fertilizer

Bacterial Community Structure and Composition in Soils under Industrial Poultry Production Activities: An Observational study

Confinement is the predominant method of producing poultry and eggs for consumption in the US. Because of its high-density approach, the potential health threats regarding pathogenesis in animals and humans have raised concerns. Although there best management practices exist to control the persistence and proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in poultry houses, very little is known about the bacterial communities, and poultry houses are potential pathogen sinks. We assessed the contribution of industrial poultry production to the structure and composition of bacterial communities in the soils at a poultry production site. Soil samples were collected from under poultry housing areas, litter storage areas, and an accompanying pasture adjacent to the production area; and environmental DNA was extracted from the samples. Following validation and amplification, DNA was sequenced using bacterial-tag encoded pyrosequencing. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the bacterial communities in the soils showed no significant differences in species richness according to observed and estimated operational taxonomic units (Chao1 and rarefaction). Proteobacteria were the major phyla present in all samples ranging from 37.1% in the soils under poultry houses to 53.4% of the sequences identified under pasture soils. Significant shifts in specific taxa were observed, including drops in the abundance of Acidobacteria observed from the poultry house to litter storage soils ( P < 0.05) α-Proteobacteria increased from poultry house soil (10.9%) to pasture soils (32.8%, P < 0.01) and soils under litter storage (22.3%, P < 0.05). The phyla Bacteroidetes, which were observed between poultry house and pasture soils, dropped significantly from 21.8% to 7.2% ( P < 0.05). Clustering exhibited a closer relationship between the soils under pasture and litter storage, while those under the poultry houses were unique. Pathogenic genera were also found in greater abundance under the poultry houses, which raises the question of persistence and re-colonization of bedding material even in the presence of mitigation attempts

The views and knowledge of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder on a range of treatments

Background. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that appears before the age of 3 years. Symptoms reflect delayed or abnormal social interaction and communication skills, with restricted or repetitive behaviour warranting the need for early intensive treatment. Methods. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge and views of parents regarding treatments for their children, aged between 5 and 9 years old with ASD, in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. An embedded mixed methods research design was utilised. Nonrandom purposive sampling was used to select 46 parents of children with ASD. A 42-item questionnaire was used and the data were interpreted using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results. More than half of the parents (53%) were unfamiliar with or had only heard of treatments in question, while 13.4% had a practical understanding of the treatments. Of all the treatments, parents rated their knowledge of speech-language therapy (SLT) most highly. The majority (68%) stated that they had difficulties accessing ASD treatment facilities and healthcare professionals, and perceived treatments as being costly. Even so, 74% of parents reported that they had a good relationship with their healthcare professional. Conclusion. The above findings should be viewed as motivation for health professionals to share information regarding the range of ASD treatments. They can assist parents in accessing appropriate facilities, recommend treatments that are supported by research, and update their knowledge on advances in ASD treatment